Are you curious about self-awareness?  Or do you feel like you have it down?

Some of us really like it and others not so much.

Yet, when we understand the benefits of self-awareness, that can be a game changer.

Here are some benefits of having self-awareness:

You know more about:            

• Your values, strengths and weaknesses
• You understand your habits (good and not so good)
• You are more in acceptance of your “faults”
• You know your personality, thoughts and beliefs
• You know what motivates you

And this can bring more self-confidence and less comparison to others.

When we have a better understanding of ourselves, we are more empowered to make changes and improvements in our lives instead of feeling that we are being victimized by life. 

When we become self-aware, we get to create the life we want because it helps us to realize our passions and where our thoughts and emotions are taking us on our path.  This way we get to pivot at any point to make the changes we want to make. 

Without that awareness, you are letting life happen TO you and not FOR you. This can make us feel more victimized by life instead of being the heroine in our journey.

Self-awareness is considered a vital first step in taking control of our lives so we can create what we want and master our future.

It also allows you to take control of your actions so you can make the necessary changes to get the outcomes you desire. This may include changes to your emotions and your behavior.

Until you achieve this, you may find it challenging to create the life you are desiring to live.

Here are some ideas to increase your self-awareness:

1.  Identify your current understanding of yourself.
   1. What are you good at?
   1. What needs improving?
   1. What are you willing to change?

This isn’t about getting into comparison with others, just a good inventory of yourself.

• Keeping a journal.
  • When you write out your thoughts it helps to relieve your mind which makes space for new ideas and information. There is also some magic in being able to see things in writing that gives us a clarity instead of having it magnify in our heads.
• Daily self-reflection
  • Set aside 10-15 minutes each day to write down your thoughts and answer those questions above.
  •  Some people like to start their day off with this reflection which helps them feel more clarity and a clear head while some like to do this before bed.

Participating in this self-reflection has enabled myself and my clients to be able to respond vs. react in situations.

When we react, it’s coming from a place of hurt and it’s a gut reaction based on our beliefs and wounds that sometimes we don’t know are there.

When we respond, it comes from a place of calmness that is provided through our self-awareness, so we know those beliefs and wounds.

This is the place we want to make our life and business decisions from.

Developing this kind of introspection takes dedication and time.  I have found that a lot of people are afraid to be rigorously honest with themselves.  Even about their strengths. 

The gift of self-awareness can outweigh that fear though as long as you feed the benefit and create a daily habit of knowing yourself.  It’s so worth it.  You are worth it.

Are you willing to know yourself?